FAMILY TRAGEDY
Mother and young daughter killed in horror crash after car collides with lorry in Mayo
The victims are understood to be from the local central Co Mayo area
TWO members of the same family died this evening when the car in which they were travelling collided with a lorry in Co Mayo.
The deceased are believed to be a mother and her young daughter.
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The accident occurred shortly before 6pm on the N26 at Callow between Foxford and Swinford.
It is understood the bodies remain at the scene this evening as a major emergency operation, involving paramedics, gardai and fire brigade personnel, continues.
The N26 is closed pending the completion of a garda forensic collision investigation of the crash scene which has been described by one local as “horrific”.
The route is closed with diversions in place until further notice.
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The victims are understood to be from the local central Co Mayo area.
A garda spokesperson said in a statement: "Gardaí are currently at the scene of a fatal road traffic collision that occurred in Lismoran, Foxford, County Mayo this evening, Tuesday 2nd July 2024. The collision, which involved a car and a lorry, occurred on the N26 at approximately 5.45pm.
"The driver of the car, a female aged in her 40s, and a passenger of the car, a female child, were fatally injured in the collision. The bodies of the deceased remain at the scene.
"The driver of the lorry was taken to hospital with injuries that are understood to be non-life threatening.
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"The scene of the collision on the N26 (Foxford to Swinford Road) is currently closed and local diversions are in place. A technical examination is being conducted by Garda Forensic Collision Investigators.
"Gardaí are appealing for any witnesses to this collision to come forward.
"Any road users who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) and were travelling on the N26 between Swinford and Foxford between 5.00pm and 6.00pm on Tuesday evening are asked to make this footage available to Gardaí.
"Anyone with any information is asked to contact Ballina Garda Station on 096 20560, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda Station."
Earlier this year, a mum and two young daughters died in a head-on car crash in Mayo.
Una Bowden, 47 and her daughters Ciara, 14 and Saoirse, 10, perished in the tragic collision on the N17 at Castlegar near Claremorris in Co Mayo at about 2pm on Tuesday, March 26.
The car was involved in a head-on crash with a fuel truck.
The trio were reported to have been travelling back home after meeting family to Gortachalla, near Moycullen in Co Galway.
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Una was understood to be originally from Co Donegal.
Ciara, in her early teens, was in first year in secondary school.
Husband and dad to the two girls, David Bowden, works abroad as a project manager with the United Nations, on a humanitarian program out in Ethiopia.
He had to be informed of the tragedy and made a long journey home to bury his loved ones in early April.
The driver of the lorry was not injured.